Flight Cancellations Begin at LAX, ONT Amid Government-Imposed Cuts
Passengers are being warned about potential flight disruptions as a government shutdown continues, with no resolution in sight. Flight cancellations started this morning at major airports including Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), and San Diego, following directives from the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce flight capacity by 10% across numerous busy airports nationwide.
Scope and Scale of Flight Reductions
Nearly 700 flights scheduled for Friday were removed from airline timetables across the country, a figure four times higher than the previous day's cancellations, according to FlightAware, a site tracking flight interruptions. This number is expected to rise as the reductions ramp up.
Government Response and Phased Implementation
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the cuts affecting 40 high-traffic airports, aimed at preserving travel safety amid observable stress among air traffic controllers during the shutdown period. The reductions started with a 4% cut on Friday, will increase to 5% on Saturday, and reach 10% next week.
Impact on Los Angeles, Ontario, and San Diego Airports
Media reports confirm these three airports are included among those experiencing reduced flight operations. FlightAware reported that by Thursday evening, 45 flights at LAX had been canceled and 10 delayed. Specific cancellations included:
- 30 cancellations on SkyWest
- 6 on Southwest
- 2 each on Delta, Swiss, JetBlue, and United
- 1 on Spirit Airlines
“The reductions in capacity at 40 high-volume airports are necessary to maintain safety as air traffic controllers show signs of strain during the shutdown,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Airlines continue to alert passengers about potential delays and cancellations as the situation evolves.
Author's summary: Flight cancellations at major California airports are escalating due to phased government-ordered capacity cuts to relieve air traffic controller strain amidst an ongoing shutdown.